Customer Reviews

The Ultimate Bluegrass Mandolin Construction Manual

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

July, 2004 - If you are looking for an incredibly comprehensive resource for building an F style mandolin, this is the book for you! Each chapter is very descriptive and well illustrated and the sequence of the book takes you right down the mandolin construction path, so that it is hard to lay this book down. My son and I are well on our way to building our first mandolin, and with this kind of written support, we expect the result to be nothing short of a beautiful, great-sounding instrument! The blueprints included with the book are worth the purchase price by themselves. They aren't quite as comprehensive as the F5 pro prints that can be ordered from the author, but are more than adequate. Anyone who plans to build an F5 will benefit from this book. Wood selection, tap tuning, bridge construction, it's all here.

Update on June 17, 2005 - The finished product looks and sounds awesome. We still experiment with bridges, nuts, saddles, etc., but are very pleased with this mandolin's sound and finish! Great project.

Siminoff treats the reader of this work like a neighbor who might compete with you in a pie bake off. He lets you taste his work, but when it come to showing how its done... REALLY showing how its done... he treats you to a shoulder shrug and incomplete instructions. Its like that neighbor who is willing to share a recipe but who leaves out one important spice!

Really, this was a surprise because at least one of his other works was excellant. The problem is, he shows how some things are accomplished but leaves out completely how to build the jigs and framework to get started.

This is truly one of the most annoying books on luthiery I have ever read and would ask for my money back except I have (inadvertantly) damaged it.
He really needs to read up and study how some of the other teachers have helped others with their projects.

Great book, lots of details, (and plans). Very well explained. Everything you need to make an F5 is here!

I am interested in getting into Mandolin building as a hobby. This book is very detailed and perfect for my evaluation process as to if I can acquire the tools, materials and skills needed to get started. This book has given me enough detail information to move forward with starting to build my first Mandolin. I would highly reccommend this to anyone thinking about constructing their own Mandolin from scratch or simply wanting to learn more about Mandolins and the effects of materials and construction on their sound and playabity.

As a teen I became interested in "bluegrass" music. I learned to play guitar and bass but was eventually drawn to the mandolin - particularly the kind with a scroll and two points, like Bill Monroe played. Wanting one like it left me discouraged because I knew I couldn't afford one that was worth owning.

In the late 1970's my Dad had become interested in building a violin and was well on his way to completing it. Then, after stumbling across the original, first edition of this book, I developed the notion that I would build one. Even with the book it was slow-go. Dad took pity on me and joined in on the task. As we worked we used Siminoff's book as a "guide" - just as the author had intended. Dad's earlier experience led him to do a few things differently - like using an "inside mold" versus the "outside mold" described in the book. I also made some minor modifications in the plans to ensure symmetry apart from the scroll and points. Again, the manual serves mainly as a guide and anyone making a serious effort should learn as much as possible from any lutherie source at their disposal.

Roger Siminoff's creditials as a luthier are outstanding. He's also a compelling author and he makes the reading of this work worthwhile - even if you only have a passing interest in the instrument rather than a desire to build. This book is billed as the "ultimate" manual. In the years since his original version, Siminoff has perfected his skills and has incorporated his experiences in this edition. He has expanded his discussions on "tap tuning" and "voicing." There's quite a bit of information on wood properties and their sound producing potential. (I was somewhat surprised that this edition seems to discourage the use of Douglas Fir as a sound board material since the original version seemed to encourage trying it as an alternative to spruce - but, with experience, perhaps he now feels it's best to stick with traditional woods...)

Our first mandolin, completed in 1981, turned out especially well, in large part due to Siminoff's book. But as I finished school, went to work, and as other priorities came up the mandolin-building took a backseat - until recently. I had the desire to finally finish one started and abandoned years ago. That's when I found that a newer version of this manual was available. I bought this one simply to compare the two. I'd highly recommend this edition - even if you have the older one.

I would highly recommend this book to any that are thinking about building a mandolin! I bought the book back in September, bought my wood at the first of October, and have a finished product here in my hands that I finished the first of December. I am VERY pleased with the way it turned out and sounds. I plan starting on another one in the spring. Thank you Mr. Siminoff for making the instructions and plans detailed and clear.
Brian Ledford

Very detailed description of a method of building a bluegrass mandolin. Drawings were very well done. As an experienced woodworker, I found some of the recommended processes a bit complicated but all together, the book was well worth the money.

I really enjoyed the detail of this book and think that even if you didn't want to build a mandolin it will give you an appreciation for time and detail that goes into a good instrument. What I was most impressed with was the balance between the theory and the practice. Knowing why you do something and how it can correct mistakes is a the biggest help of all. Also, it gave me an appreciation of what to look for in high quality instruments. If you do decide to build your own you are left with the clear understanding of what trade offs are made in wood selection, grain, fixturing and customization. The writing style is straight forward but not dull and it has lots of detailed pictures to get you through the construction process. I very highly recommend this book.

I've received this Siminoff masterpiece and I treasure it. It is a masterpiece in instruction. Siminoff is one of the master teachers in this area and this book is a delight to read. The bluepeint diagrams are lifesize and very easy to follow. Siminoff's explanations of voicing the various parts of the instrument are wonderful. I would highly recommend this book to anyone with an interest in instrument construction.

I can't begin to tell you how wonderful this book is. The instructions are clear. The information is presented in a clear and concise way. The drawings in the back of this book are super. If you are interested in building, this is a must have!